SIOUX CITY, Iowa (January 4th) – It was almost a mirror image of last night for the Muskegon Lumberjacks as the offense couldn’t click for any goals until the final frame, but it wasn’t enough in the end as the host Musketeers laced the first four goals of the night en route to a 4-2 victory tonight at the Tyson Events Center completing the two-game weekend sweep.
After a scoreless first half of the opening frame, the Musketeers (21-8-1, 43 points) were able to grab the first lead of the night for the second consecutive game that began at the 12:48 mark as Austin Adduono circled around the Lumberjacks’ and wrapped a backhand past the outstretched left pad of Jordan Uhelski (6-7-3) for his fourth marker of the season to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Neal Pionk and Tyler Mueller helped on Sioux City’s first goal of the night.
Later in the first period with 1:03 to go, Adduono was able to flick a backhand shot from the left faceoff circle short side over Uhelski’s right shoulder for his second of the night and fifth goal of the season that was helped again by Mueller and Pionk.
The Musketeers took their two-goal lead into the first intermission with the Lumberjacks clinging to the shot battle by a 10-7 margin.
Sioux City used their late first period surge into the early moments of the second period as they snatched a 3-0 lead just 1:09 into the middle frame as Jake Montgomery took a wrap-around attempt on his forehand and slid his 13th goal of the season under Uhelski’s left pad that was helped by Jared Thomas and Adam Johnson.
The score remained the same through the rest of the period as the Lumberjacks had numerous power play chances in the period to get back into it, but could not convert as they still led the shot battle by 25-17 margin.
Early in the third period, Sioux City remained on the offensive making it a 4-0 game at the 2:29 mark as Blake Heinrich ripped a wrist shot of the top of the slot over the glove hand of Uhelski that was helped by Thomas and Johnson.
As the final period went on, the Lumberjacks (13-15-4, 30 points) were finally able to crack the scoreboard as 30 seconds after the Heinrich tally, Connor Wood was able to snap a shot from between the faceoff circles over the blocker side of Collin Olson (5-1-0) top shelf for his second tally of the season that was set up by Trevor Morbeck and Adam Larkin to cut the deficit to 4-1 Sioux City.
Later in the frame at 9:03 mark, Muskegon took advantage of a five-on-three power play opportunity as Morbeck found an open Matt Iacopelli on the back door to the left of Olson, and he tapped a rebound home for his team-leading 22nd goal of the year to make it a 4-2 game in favor of the hosts. Newcomer Daniel Willett also helped on the Iacopelli marker.
The Lumberjacks continued to try and fight back late as both teams exchanged numerous penalties through the second half of the third period, but were unable to get back into the game as they outshot the Musketeers on the night, 33-26.
Collin Olson earned his fifth win of the season in net making 31 saves for Sioux City, while Jordan Uhelski took the loss for Muskegon stopping 22 of 26 shots on the night. The Musketeers were led offensively by five different players with two points each including Austin Adduono with a pair of first period goals. Muskegon was led offensively by Trevor Morbeck’s two assists.
The Lumberjacks conclude their three-game weekend road trip in Iowa with a clash against the Des Moines Buccaneers tomorrow at 4:05 pm.
The next pair of home games for the Lumberjacks will be on Friday, January 24th and Saturday, January 25th against the U.S. National Development Program at 7:15 pm, respectively. Friday’s game against the Under-17 Team will feature the second and final trading card giveaway of the season along with the return of our “Jacks Win You Win” promotion. If the Lumberjacks win on Friday, every fan in attendance will receive a $5 Sport Clips gift card.
Saturday’s game against the Under-18 Team will feature our annual “Jacks Fight Cancer” Game presented by Mercy Health Partners. Fans can contribute to the event in numerous ways in which proceeds will be donated to the Johnson Family Cancer Center, and more information can be found on the Lumberjacks’ Facebook page by searching “Muskegon Lumberjacks.” Additionally, our “Subway Saturday” promotion returns, where if the Lumberjacks win on Saturday, fans that attend the game can present their ticket stubs at any participating West Michigan Subway location for a buy one six-inch sub, get another six-inch sub of equal or lesser value for free.
Individual game tickets will be on sale for the next pair of home games over the next few weeks for the low price of $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 3-12 if they are purchased before the day of the game. Tickets can be purchased at the Lumberjacks’ Box Office or by calling (231) 724-5225.
The exclusive radio home for the Muskegon Lumberjacks all season long is 92.5 FM WLAW “The Outlaw” as Bryan Fongers delivers the call beginning ten minutes prior to puck drop.
The proud home of all Muskegon Lumberjacks home games is the L.C. Walker Arena in downtown Muskegon located just minutes from the beautiful Lake Michigan Shoreline. Muskegon Lumberjacks hockey, “Experience the Buzz!”
The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud members of the United States Hockey League, the nation’s only Tier I junior hockey league and the leading producer of NCAA players and National Hockey League draft picks in the United States. The Lumberjacks’ organization prides itself on developing not just premier hockey talent, but also exceptional young men outside the arena of sports. For more information, visit www.muskegonlumberjacks.com.
